Disheartened or Dangerous?

by ram_rod on Nov 17, 2009 6:02 PM CST in 2009 regular season Comment 16 comments

Will Atogwe go another 8 games without a turnover?

It's been a long time coming, but two days ago this Rams teams finally started to play with a ferocity, finally started to lay it all on the line. The team that has all to often given up by the fourth quarter, by the half, finally found some swagger. Marc Bulger wasn't sliding a yard short for first downs, Donnie Avery had more touchdowns then fumbles, ~~Alex Barron didn't almost cost us the game~~. All was good. But how long will this nothing-to-lose strategy apply for?

Sure, the team is 1-8. They really don't have that much too lose in the way of...well, anything this year. But mentally, having come so close to defeating the Saints, it must have been quite deflating to see the scoreboard after the game. To know it was in your grasp, yet have it slip through. It was definitely a tough loss for the team to go through.

These next few weeks are going to be crucial for the development of this team, for them to trust in Coach Spagnuolo. It's one thing to point at glaring deficiencies and huge mistakes that cost the team a chance at competing. It's one thing to see all the problems that went on during a game and see the score be a blowout. "Same old Rams," you could say. But this team gave it their all against the Saints and narrowly came up short. The Rams next few opponents aren't nearly as complete of a team as the Saints, which means that the Rams easily have a chance to win (if they can almost beat the Saints, they can almost beat anybody, in my opinion). Granted, there were areas to improve upon, but that game has to have been the high point so far in the season.

Spagnuolo has this team competing, their is no doubt about that. But after the win against the Lions, everyone said the team needed the win. Going 0-8 into the bye, people thought the team would've crumbled. That same chance of crumbling away has reared it's ugly head again. Can the team pick itself back up after the disheartening loss? Can they keep up the swagger? Or will they crumble apart? Was this merely a flash in the pan or will Bulger return to 2006 form? (Do you even want him to, or are you done with him at this point?)

Everyone is about to see what this coaching staff and team is made of. The team believes in Spagnuolo, sure, but their morale at 1-8 surely isn't, "sitting on the top of the world." If Spagnuolo can guide this team out of the darkness right now, then the future looks extremely bright.

Poll

Can the Rams continue to play at the level they displayed against the Saints?

Yes, this is only the beginning of things to come

247 votes

Yes, but the Saints game was the high point.

72 votes

It was more luck then anything else.

3 votes

No. They might have a few good games, but this was merely a positive outlier on their inconsistency chart.

48 votes

Not a chance

7 votes

377 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Saints = Damaged Goods

Ellis, Sharper, and their 2 starting CBs did not play most of the game. Granted the Rams needed a boost of confidence, but shit, they will play a healthy secondary in the upcoming weeks.

by 81 Witness on Nov 17, 2009 7:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If you remember correctly

Bulger had trouble getting it past the D-Line.

That granted, Sharper’s backup made an interception, so saying their secondary (while injured) did nothing is somewhat moot.

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 17, 2009 8:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And of course--

The Rams had all of our starters and best players—-or was it a wash?

by Knoxfan on Nov 18, 2009 12:10 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No offense to the Rams starters

But some of them aren’t amazing. I know are WR’s looked good today, but I think we can agree they are still growing. Injuries in the secondary or not, are passing game isn’t something opposing teams fear.

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 18, 2009 12:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

err I mean Sunday

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 18, 2009 12:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry to be off point here, but...

I was just curious if any of you knew why Brandon Gibson is wearing Laurent Robinson’s jersey #11?

by bigwood25 on Nov 17, 2009 7:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I did not know that...

Because he is on the injured reserve perhaps?

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 17, 2009 8:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There was some story about why

I think maybe Robinson changed to 19 after Stanley got cut, but he never got to wear it. i don’t exactly remember, but I think everyone’s okay with it. (Except for Stanley)

The 53 as one have become the 53 that won.

by Carneros on Nov 17, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think that's right.

by andyrose on Nov 17, 2009 10:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I hate how everyone always assumes that when a team is losing, its players aren't trying

With this rag-tag and inexperienced roster, it was only through massive effort that the team was competing at all earlier in the season. It is possible to give maximum effort and still play poorly, they are not the same thing. In my opinion the coaching gets the credit for the improvement we’ve seen lately. The players are finally settling in and developing chemistry with each other, and the coordinators are tailoring their play calls for the strengths of the players. Most of the bad seeds were dumped in training camp, so its not like we have any Jamarcus Russells on our team.

by hisTALLness on Nov 17, 2009 10:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm not assuming they are playing poorly

I’m just not sure if a team that has been giving it all will be able to keep going at this level since they aren’t winning. It’s not poor play, it’s poor morale.

I believe in 2010

by ram_rod on Nov 18, 2009 12:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My opinion has been that they have been playing their asses off all season.

That was one of the few redeeming qualities about the team.

Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.

by Tackle Box on Nov 18, 2009 7:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Since the Rams are hearting so bad at receiver right now...

(besides a few surprisingly talented young players) does anyone think that maybe they should look into Matt Jones? He’s not terrible, and they could sign him to a one year, leauge-minimum deal. Thoughts on the subject?

by lifeinthepit00 on Nov 18, 2009 12:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

4 Pillars

not quite the type of guy Spags is looking for my friend

I Want The Rams Back In LA....The More They Lose The More Of A Chance That It Will Happen....Sorry St Louis You Cant Keep A Team(Twice)...Rams Come Home....We'll Be Here For You When You Do

by JordansDad on Nov 18, 2009 1:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And we don't have any of our players on the four pillows like NE and some others.

by Knoxfan on Nov 18, 2009 8:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

They're buying into Spags

Say what you will about this team, but while they may lack talent, they’re playing their asses off for the new coaching regime. He has straightened out Richie & Barron, and SJ39 is taking things to an entirely new level. Can you guys believe the play where it took 8 guys to bring him down? Unreal my friends.

by strugglemonkey on Nov 18, 2009 8:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs